Safer sex behaviors in African-American and Caucasian college students

Safer sex behaviors in African-American and Caucasian college students

Abstract:

Safer sex behaviors in African-American and Caucasian college students

Conference Sponsor:

Midwest Nursing Research Society

Conference Year:

2001

Author:

Ransom, Jane, PhD

P.I. Institution Name:

Medical College of Ohio

Title:

Assistant Professor

Contact Address:

School of Nursing, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA

Contact Telephone:

419.383.5844

Email:

jransom@mco.edu

Among 25-44 year-olds, HIV infection remains the leading cause of death among African-Americans and fifth among Caucasians. Nurses facilitate prevention by promoting safer sex behaviors. This descriptive study identified factors related to safer sex behaviors in African-American and Caucasian college students. African-Americans represented 57% of the sample (N=412). Orem's self-care deficit theory provided the theoretical framework. Basic conditioning factors included: gender, ethnicity, social network, social support specific to safer sex behaviors. Self-care agency included: capabilities for general health promotion, attitudes toward alcohol and condom use, self-efficacy to discuss sexual history with a partner and use condoms. Safer sex behaviors represented self-care. African-American students had less positive attitudes about alcohol, but more positive attitudes about condom use and self-efficacy to discuss sexual history and use condoms. Women had less positive attitudes toward alcohol than men, but more positive attitudes about condoms. Those with social support for using safer sex behaviors had more capabilities for general health promotion and positive attitudes toward alcohol and condom use. Study variables accounted for 43% of variance in safer sex behaviors. Significant predictors were: social support specific to safer sex behaviors, attitudes toward condom use, and self-efficacy to discuss sexual history and use condoms.